Pinckneyville adds volunteer firefighters

The Pinckneyville Fire Department has added three new volunteers to its roster.

At Monday's meeting of the Pinckneyville City Council, commissioners approved Fire Chief Jim Gielow's request to add the three to the department.

The new volunteers are Jordan Nehrkorrn, Andrew Kelly and Marissa Stowers.

Also at this week's meeting:

• City Treasurer Rick Reese informed the council that the balance in the city's unrestricted account as of Sept. 30 was $612,946.91.

However, it doesn't include any of the nearly $1 million the state of Illinois owes the city for gas, water or sewer.

• It is once again time for the American Thresherman Association Fall Festival, and the council approved the association's request to close Ballpark Road from Oct. 18 to 23.

• The council approved a resolution allowing the city to enter into a consulting agreement with Pat Kattenbraker to aid in developing and implementing policies and procedures to improve fiscal management and financial reporting of the City. The Agreement will be in effect through Dec. 31, 2018.

• Pinckneyville City Librarian Kathy West gave a year-to-date State of the Library presentation.

Although the library has not received all of the state funding that it budgeted for, the library is holding its own with an increase in property tax receipts, private donations and miscellaneous income, plus cuts in expenses.

One area of concern for the library is the fact that residents will rent books and DVDs and not return them.

This not only takes money from the library in rental fees, but the library is also out the cost of the book or DVD. The library will have an amnesty day in November during which an overdue book or DVD can be returned without having to pay the late fee.

• Finally, the council approved the request from the Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce for $2,500 from the hotel/motel tax fund to help with advertising costs associated with the Mardi Gras celebration Oct. 28.